create_branch
Generate a new branch in a GitHub repository by specifying the owner, repository name, and branch name, with an option to base it on an existing branch.
Instructions
Create a new branch in a GitHub repository
Input Schema
TableJSON Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| branch | Yes | Name for the new branch | |
| from_branch | No | Optional: source branch to create from (defaults to the repository's default branch) | |
| owner | Yes | Repository owner (username or organization) | |
| repo | Yes | Repository name |
Implementation Reference
- index.ts:324-335 (handler)MCP CallToolRequest handler for 'create_branch': validates input schema, calls createBranchFromRef, and returns JSON response.
case "create_branch": { const args = branches.CreateBranchSchema.parse(request.params.arguments); const branch = await branches.createBranchFromRef( args.owner, args.repo, args.branch, args.from_branch ); return { content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(branch, null, 2) }], }; } - operations/branches.ts:11-16 (schema)Zod input schema definition for the create_branch tool, used for validation in handler and JSON schema conversion.
export const CreateBranchSchema = z.object({ owner: z.string().describe("Repository owner (username or organization)"), repo: z.string().describe("Repository name"), branch: z.string().describe("Name for the new branch"), from_branch: z.string().optional().describe("Optional: source branch to create from (defaults to the repository's default branch)"), }); - index.ts:111-113 (registration)Tool registration in the ListTools response, providing name, description, and input schema.
name: "create_branch", description: "Create a new branch in a GitHub repository", inputSchema: zodToJsonSchema(branches.CreateBranchSchema), - operations/branches.ts:75-92 (handler)Primary handler logic: determines source SHA (from specified branch or default) and invokes createBranch.
export async function createBranchFromRef( owner: string, repo: string, newBranch: string, fromBranch?: string ): Promise<z.infer<typeof GitHubReferenceSchema>> { let sha: string; if (fromBranch) { sha = await getBranchSHA(owner, repo, fromBranch); } else { sha = await getDefaultBranchSHA(owner, repo); } return createBranch(owner, repo, { ref: newBranch, sha, }); } - operations/branches.ts:41-60 (helper)Core utility: Makes POST request to GitHub Git Refs API to create the new branch reference.
export async function createBranch( owner: string, repo: string, options: CreateBranchOptions ): Promise<z.infer<typeof GitHubReferenceSchema>> { const fullRef = `refs/heads/${options.ref}`; const response = await githubRequest( `https://api.github.com/repos/${owner}/${repo}/git/refs`, { method: "POST", body: { ref: fullRef, sha: options.sha, }, } ); return GitHubReferenceSchema.parse(response); }